Minn. session deadline 'hanging by a thread' as budget talks continue

Its passage allows the state to get an extension to continue using standard driver's licenses to board planes until October 2020.

It will take a bit of time for the state to produce the new licenses and the security system as required by the federal government.

Minnesota residents don't need to worry about trouble boarding flights next year: Gov. Mark Dayton has signed a bill complying with Real ID into law.

Minnesotans can continue to use their current driver's license as a form of identification to board domestic flights until January 22, 2018. Late Friday morning, House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, said they had placed a "cone of silence" on their discussions.

While prospects for settling the budget remained cloudy, the Real ID agreement constituted actual progress on a long-unresolved issue.

Because of when their driver's license expires, some people may choose to renew their license early in order to get a REAL ID compliant card once they become available.

Meanwhile, the state edged closer to a January 2018 deadline by which it must approve Real ID standards, or leave Minnesotans unable to fly or visit military facilities without a passport. The next deadline would be June 30, when the state fiscal year ends and the state government would have to shut down without a new budget.

But most lawmakers were relieved to finally solve a problem that threatened to create major headaches for their constituents.

The two sides sat without talking Thursday (other than a telephone call between Gazelka and the governor) waiting for the other side to make a move.

WDAZ spoke to some Minnesotans and they say they think the increased tab fees are unreasonable, especially for a newer vehicle. But a big setback also presented itself Tuesday when the House failed to pass an $800 million package of borrowing for public works projects around the state, usually a popular measure that allows lawmakers to deliver construction dollars back home. "He was delivering a counteroffer shortly after our interview".

Cyber attack targets two Dublin hospitalsMay 18, 2017 - 00:09
HSE chief information officer, Richard Corbridge, said that disruption to patients was minimal as the outages were expected. The state's cyber security chiefs were also liaising with the Garda Cyber Crime Bureau and the Defence Forces.

48 percent of Americans support Trump's impeachmentMay 18, 2017 - 00:08
The Senate needs a two-thirds majority, or 67 out of 100 votes, to find an official guilty and remove that person from office. Certain members of the House of Representatives would act as the prosecutors, and a Supreme Court justice would act as judge.

Google kicks off I/O with news of 2B Android devicesMay 18, 2017 - 00:06
We're also anticipating the announcement of new features for the Google Assistant AI and in turn the Google Home smart speaker. Google's partners Audi and Volvo have already been mentioned, with new cars expected to come with Android Auto built in.

Iran's Rouhani says upcoming election 'historical decision'May 16, 2017 - 09:33
He has accused incumbent President Hassan Rohani of mismanagement and favoring rich Iranians at the expense of the poor. Qalibaf made his decision in order to form a "strong coalition" to oust Rouhani's "inefficient and impotent" cabinet.

Armed rebels in C. African Republic city agree to leaveMay 16, 2017 - 09:33
CAR President Faustin Touadera said Sunday he intends to go to Bangassou to give his "support to the wounded population". Numerous fighters are child soldiers who appeared to be under the influence of drugs, he added.

2016's Top 10 most popular baby names releasedMay 16, 2017 - 09:29
Donald was the 488th most popular name for boys in 2016, its lowest rank since at least data collection began in 1900. According to Social Security , Emma and Noah are the most popular names in the United States.

Disney CEO says hackers claim to have access to upcoming movieMay 16, 2017 - 09:28
Netflix recently had the same issue with a hacker released 10 episodes of Orange Is The New Black after their demands weren't met. The ransom business on the internet seems to be booming this week. "Of course, the individual victim must weigh their options".

Stay 4Warned: Severe weather expected several days this weekMay 16, 2017 - 09:20
That increasing level of warmth and humidity will be enough to keep storms going across northern Iowa into the early afternoon. Another storm system moves in on Thursday especially late in the day bringing another risk for a few strong to severe storms.